**Persepolis** (literally 'City of Persians') was the magnificent ceremonial capital of the **Achaemenid Empire** (First Persian Empire), founded by Darius the Great around 515 BCE. Its ruins are located in modern-day Iran and showcase stunning imperial architecture.

**Pericles** (c. 495–429 BCE) was a prominent and influential statesman, orator, and general of Athens during its Golden Age, the period between the Persian and Peloponnesian wars. He championed Athenian democracy and initiated the massive building projects on the Acropolis, including the **Parthenon**.

The **Battle of Gaugamela** (331 BCE) was the final and decisive battle in the campaign of Alexander the Great against the Achaemenid Persian Empire. After this victory, Darius III fled, and Alexander went on to capture major cities like Babylon and Susa, effectively ending the Persian Empire.

The Battle of Nihawand (642 CE) is known as the 'Victory of Victories' and sealed the fate of the Persian Sassanid Empire.

Abdul Malik replaced Byzantine and Persian coins with new Islamic coinage featuring Arabic text and no images.

The Barmakids were a Persian family who held immense power and influence as administrators under the early Abbasid Caliphs, especially Harun al-Rashid.

The House of Wisdom was a major intellectual center during the Abbasid era where Greek, Persian, and Indian texts were translated into Arabic.

Hazrat Umar (R.A) was stabbed while leading the Fajr prayer by Abu Lulu Feroz, a disgruntled Persian slave.

Rustam Farrokhzad was the commander of the Sassanid Persian army and was killed during the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah.

Iraq has historically claimed Bubiyan Island to improve its narrow access to the Persian Gulf.